Kitchen Queries

Welcome to Kitchen Queries, where the nigella.com team will answer your cooking or food related questions. We’d love you to submit some of your recipe problems, dilemmas or queries for us to get our teeth into!

Please note, we are only able to answer questions selected for publication and aren't able to enter into personal correspondence.

Latest Queries

Boozy Christmas Cake-When To Eat?

Hi. I've made the Boozy Christmas Cake and was just wondering how long it will last for? Is it like a normal Christmas cake where you feed it weekly before icing it the week before Christmas or should i just make another cake the week before Christmas and eat this one now? I'm worried about the cake drying up before Christmas. Hope you can help. Thanks Katie

Posted by KatieBurke. Answered on 17th Nov 2011 at 12.00

From the nigella team:

We believe that you are referring to the Boozy Christmas Cake that has been posted on the Nigella website by another website user. Unfortunately we don't test these recipes. However, looking at the recipe it does seem to be very much like a rich fruit cake and should keep in a similar manner. So if you have already made the cake then we suggest wrapping it in a double layer of greaseproof paper or baking parchment (parchment paper) and then a double layer of foil, then storing it in a cool place away from direct light until you are ready to decorate it. You should be able to feed the cake with an alcohol of your choice a couple of times between now and Christmas.

If you are really concerned you could freeze the cake, wrapped in a double layer of clingfilm (plastic wrap) and a double layer of foil. Thaw the cake overnight at room temperature a day or so before decorating.